On April 6th 13,000 millionaires will receive a tax giveaway worth on average £100,000 from the Tories and Lib Dems while people in Camden face cuts to tax credits, child benefit and the bedroom tax.
As Tory Millionaires’ Day approaches, Camden Labour is encouraging local residents to sign the petition against this unfair tax cut at www.labour.org.uk/
Cllr Theo Blackwell, Cabinet Member for Finance, London Borough of Camden, writes concerning the Camden Council budget, passed last night…..
The continuation of the government cuts initiated in 2010 has meant that 2012/13 has inevitably been a challenging year both for the Council and residents, as efficiencies have been required at exactly the time when the need for essential public services has never been greater.
A public meeting has been called to discuss plans to sell-off Camden’s police stations and leave the borough with just one fully-functioning police station – in Holborn.
Labour’s community safety lead, Cllr Abdul Hai, is pressing for changes to the closure plans
Camden Labour are challenging the Tory proposals, which would mean that local residents would have to travel for miles to even be able to report a crime.
Councillor Abdul Hai, Labour’s community safety lead, said “The consultation with the community that has taken place so far has been shambolic. It beggars belief that the Tories are reducing police numbers but also want to sell off Albany Street, Hampstead and West Hampstead police stations and leave us with just one fully-functioning station in the far south of the borough.
“I fear that this decision is motivated by a desire to maximise short-term financial return by flogging off essential community facilities. We will be left with no counter service in the north of the borough. A police station, open and serving the community, reassures the community and reduces fear of crime.”
Labour councillors have actively opposed the sell-off plans and a public meeting will now be held with the police borough commander in West Hampstead library on 7th March from 6.30pm -8.00pm.
“We will ensure that Camden is heard on this issue and that our residents are given a real say on how they are policed,” added Cllr Hai.
“First, it is vital that we retain a counter service in the north of the borough to help people living there. Second,we will press for Kentish Town police station to remain open 24 hours a day as we need a fully functioning police station closer to the centre of Camden.”
As well as the public meeting at West Hampstead library, Cllr Hai will also be chairing a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who is coming to Camden on 20th March at 6.30pm at Haverstock School (doors open at 6pm for refreshments). This will be an opportunity for Camden residents to listen to his vision for London and put questions on policing matters.
A piece by Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council that first appeared on Labour List.
Camden has been criticised this morning for our approach to families affected by the housing benefit and total benefit caps. One tweeter used a thinly veiled reference to Kinnock’s criticism of Hatton’s Liverpool of the 80s. Camden, like the other London councils that are already doing this has no choice. The draconian benefit caps introduced by this government bear no relation to the costs of living in London and ultimately, families will be forced from their homes, jobs and their children from schools because of Tory dogma.
Camden council has published proposals to freeze the level of Council Tax payable for two years, providing help for all taxpayers at a time of continuing economic uncertainty.